THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1932 Session I-II, H-16

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1932. NEW ZEALAND.

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 15th August, 1932. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 1,134, being a decrease of twenty-six during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 15 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 6 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. 27 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 96 Constables .. .. .. .. .. ..921 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. .. 4 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. 17 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. 44 In addition to the above there were— Police surgeons .. .. .. .. 12 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. .. 4 Native constables .. .. .. .. .. 2 There were also twenty-three temporary constables-appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919 : nine of these were appointed during the war period, and are over age or otherwise unsuitable for permanent appointment; the other fourteen were appointed on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. Stations. New stations were established during the year at Arapuni and Makaraka, and the stations at Kopua Railway Camp, Whataupoko, Tiroroa, Parnassus, and Wharanui were closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last : Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 9 ; retired as medically unfit, 2 ; died, 3 ; resigned voluntarily, 6 ; called upon to resign, 3 ; dismissed, 2 : total, 25. This is 2 more than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net decrease of 534 on the figures of 1930. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-4 per cent., as against 2-46 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. : — Theft (petty) .. .. .. 559 False pretences .. .. 49 Theft by clerks, &c. .. .. .. 32 Assaulting or resisting police .. .. 76 Theft of postal packets .. .. 40 Selling liquor after hours .. .. 192 Burglary, housebreaking, &c. .. .. 345 Breaches of Arms Act .. .. .. 131 Forgery and uttering .. .. .. 33 Breaches of Motor-vehicles Act .. .. 562

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The principal decreases were — Indecent assault .. .. .. 25 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 87 Arson .. .. .. •. 38 Failing to maintain wives or families .. 288 Breaches of the peace . . . . .. 82 Breaches of prohibition orders .. .. 259 Drunkenness .. .. .. 1,439 Being on licensed premises after closing hours 321 Indecent exposure and grossly indecent acts 96 Suicide, attempted .. .. 22 The increase in cases of theft and burglary can be attributed largely to economic stress with consequent unemployment. The increases in 1930 were : thefts, 1,168 ; burglary, &c, 171 ; and in 1931, thefts, 559 ; burglary, &c, 345. The most noteworthy decrease is in drunkenness. In 1930 there was a decrease from 6,810 to 6,125 and in 1931 from 6,125 to 4,6B7—that is, in two years a decrease of 2,123 prosecutions, or 31 per cent. This increase in sobriety is probably afiected by decreased purchasing-power in conjunction with changing habits of the people. The following return shows the number of offences reported in each police district during the year, the number of cases in which arrests or summonses resulted, and the number in which no prosecution followed : — — ■ ■ :

The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from offences reported during the year 1931 was 89-03, the figures of the preceding year being 90-53.

Serious Crimes. The following is a return of the number of serious crimes as compared with the previous year : —

The increase in cases of murder from seven in 1930 to thirteen in 1931, although to be noticed with serious regret, should not be regarded as abnormal. There were thirteen cases of murder in the years 1920, 1926, 1927, and over the past thirteen years the average number has been 9-5.

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Number of Offences Number in which . Number of in which Arrests no Arrests Police District. Offences reported. or Summonses or Summonses resulted. resulted. Whangarei ... ... ... ... 1,164 1,052 112 Auckland ... ... ... ... 8,449 7,384 1,065 Hamilton ... ... ... ... 2,036 1,868 168 Gisborne ... ... ... 1,196 1,124 72 Napier ... ... .. 1,963 1,824 139 New Plymouth ... ... ... ... 1,354 1,283 71 Wanganui ... ... ... ... 1,257 1,189 ' 68 Palmerston North ... ... ... 1,478 1,411 67 Wellington ... ... ... ... 6,345 5,646 699 Nelson ... ... ... ... 972 848 124 Greymouth ... ... ... ... 1,462 1,380 82 Christchurch ... ... ... ... 4,705 3,746 959 Timaru 973 903 70 Dunedin ... ... ... ... 1,881 1,718 163 Invereargill ... ... ... ... 1,445 1,283 162 Totals 36,680 32,659 4,021

1930. j 1931. Crimes. „ , , Number of , T , Number of Number of Qfience3 Number of offencea }n en f e j j which Arrests . which Arrests reported. , temlteā _ reported. Arson ... ... ... ... ... 6b 64 SO 28 Robbery and aggravated robbery ... ... 31 23 21 15 Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. ... 1,263 804 1,608 886 Forgery and uttering ... ... ... 208 196 241 231 Murder ... ... ... ... ... 7 7 13 9 Murder, attempted ... ... .. ... 3 2 5 5 Rape ...* 10 10 7 7 Receiving stolen property ... ... ... 142 142 158 158 Wounding with intent ... ... ... 1 1 1 1 Totals ... ... ... ... 1,733 1,249 2,084 1,340

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The circumstances in which these crimes are committed indicate that they are not preventable by any police measures. Of the thirteen murders in 1931 prosecutions resulted in nine cases, and in one case the offender committed suicide immediately after committing the crime, leaving but three so far undetected. In two instances abandoned infants were found in circumstances indicating that they had been murdered. Indecent and sexual offences were as under : —

Drunkenness. There has been a decrease of 1,438 in the number of prosecutions for drunkenness during the year as compared with the previous year. The number charged with drunkenness in 1931 was 4,687 (4,480 males and 207 females), whereas in 1930 the number was 6,125 (5,862 males and 263 females). From the following table it will be observed that 38 per cent, of the males and 58 per cent, of the females had previous convictions recorded against them, and 4-8 per cent, of the males were not permanent residents of the Dominion.

Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Year 1931, and the Number of Previous Convictions against them, so far as is known.

Number of foregoing who were members of the crews of vessels in port, 216. The following table shows the convictions for drunkenness per ten thousand of the population for each year from 1926 to 1930 in Australia and New Zealand : — 1926. 1927. 1928. 1929. 1930. Commonwealth .. .. 99-5 101-3 94-27 89-5 73-0 New Zealand .. .. 53-0 44-6 43-20 46-3 42-4 Prosecutions against Hotelkeepees. The number of prosecutions against hotelkeepers during the year shows an increase of forty-four as compared with the preceding year. There were 605 prosecutions, resulting in 355 convictions, during 1931, as against 561 prosecutions and 339 convictions in 1930. Sly-gbog Selling. There were 64 prosecutions during the year for selling liquor without a license, resulting in 54 convictions, and there were also forty-seven prosecutions, resulting in thirty-four convictions, for other offences against the provisions of the Licensing Act in force in no-license districts. The fines imposed on the sly-grog sellers during the year 1931 amounted to £1,445 10s. Gaming Offences. There were 354 prosecutions, resulting in 324 convictions, during the year under the Gaming Act, against 398 prosecutions and 314 convictions in 1930.

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Offences. 1930. 1931. Unnatural offence ... ... ... ... 6 5 Unnatural offence, attempted ... ... ... 2 3 Indecently assaulting a male ... ... ... 40 54 Incest ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 2 Indecent acts ... ... ... ... ... 21 6 Concealment of birth ... ... ... ... 3 7 Assault, indecent ... ... ... ... ... 127 102 Rape ... ... ... ... ... 10 7 Eape, attempted .. ... ... ... ... 7 7 Carnally knowing girls ... ... ... ... 68 69 Carnally knowing girls, attempted ... ... ... 8 7 Abortion, procuring, &c. ... ... ... ... 5 11 Exposure of person and grossly indecent acts... ... 305 209 Totals ... ... ... ... 605 489

J Males. Females. Total. Not previously convicted .. .. .. 2,777 87 2,864 One previous conviction .. .. .. 515 33 548 Two previous convictions .. .. .. 296 10 306 Three previous convictions .. .. .. 201 6 207 Four previous convictions .. .. . . 136 7 143 Five previous convictions .. .. . . 114 7 121 Over five previous convictions .. .. 441 57 498 Totals .. .. 4,480 207 4,687

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Prosecutions of Bookmakers. The following return shows the result of prosecutions in connection with bookmaking during the year ended 31st March, 1932 :—

Police Prosecutions. The following is a return of the number of convictions for which fines were imposed and the total amount of such fines in respect of prosecutions instituted by the police during the year ended 31st March, 1932 :—

Ceiminal Registration Branch. At headquarters the finger-impressions of 3,154 persons were received, classified, searched, indexed, and filed during the year ; 215 persons were identified as previous offenders who, had it not been for the finger-print system, would have passed as first offenders ; 2,105 photographs were taken by the photographers attached to the Branch ; the photographs of 2,499 prisoners (5,355 photographs) were dealt with, and 624 photographs were reproduced in the Police Gazette. In sixteen cases of breaking and entering finger-prints left by the offenders when committing the crimes were identified, and the offenders brought to justice. In four of these cases enlarged photographs were prepared and the necessary evidence tendered, resulting in a conviction in each case. The twelve other offenders pleaded guilty in the Lower Court. During the year the finger-print system was responsible for the identification of fifteen persons wanted by the police, and also three deceased persons. The Branch supplied over six hundred photographs (microscopic enlargements, &c.) in connection with a noted murder case in Palmerston North, and also prepared numerous enlarged photographs for the Coats murder trial in Wellington last November. The following table shows the increase in the finger-print collection since the introduction of the finger-print system of identification in March, 1903 : —

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nff Number of Number of Amount of Fines Ottence. Prosecutions. Convictions. imposed. £ s. d. Carrying on business of bookmaker .. . . 36 34 1,696 10 0 Keeping common gaming-house .. .. 58 49 2,091 10 0 Found in common gaming-house .. .. 12 8 10 0 0 Laying totalizator odds .. .. . . 21 18 204 0 0 Publishing betting-charts .. .. .. 10 6 49 10 0 Betting with bookmaker .. .. .. 1 1 40 0 0 Loitering for betting purposes .. .. 4 4 180 0 0 Totals .. .. .. 142 120 4,271 10 0

, Number ot Total Amount of Fines payable to Convictions. Pines imposed. I I £ Consolidated Fund .. .. .. .. .. 10,481 23,003 Main Highways Revenue Fund (section 24, Motor-vehicles Act, 1924) 3,986 7,773 Local authorities (by-law offences) .. .. .. .. 335 256 Total 14,802 31,032

Number of Increase on Number of Increase on Year. Prints in Previous Year . Prints in Previous Collection. Year. Collection. Year. * = . 1904 .. 3,500 3,500 117 1919 .. 22,332 1,350 153 1905 .. 4,200 700 72 1920 .. 23,686 1,354 176 1906 .. 5,000 800 88 1921 .. 26,650 2,964 232 1907 .. 6,151 1,151 104 1922 .. 28,408 1,758 255 1908 .. 7,622 1,471 123 1923 .. 30,284 1,876 292 1909 ■ .. 8,718 1,096 138 1924 .. 31,929 1,645 289 1910 .. 9,919 1,201 140 1925 .. 33,802 1,873 267 1911 .. 10,905 986 148 1926 .. 35,844 2,042 292 1912 .. 12,097 1,192 178 1927 .. 37,808 1,964 255 1913 .. 13,552 1,455 183 1928 .. 39,409 1,601 276 1914 .. 15,302 1,750 230 1929 .. 40,852 1,443 208 1915 .. 16,682 1,380 270 1930 .. 42,371 1,519 239 1916 .. 18,134 1,452 218 1931 .. 43,973 1,602 257 1917 .. 19,508 1,374 166 1932 .. 45,692 1,719 215 1918 .. 20,982 1,474 132

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Growth op Department. The following returns shows the growth of the Department, the continued increase of the population, and the total number of offences (irrespective of by-law offences) reported, and in which arrests or summonses resulted, each year since 1877, prior to which date each province in the Dominion had its own Police Force, and reliable data are not available :—

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ŪQ ■g g . Offences Arrests for dig S J Cost per n«„„„ , where Arrests Drunkenness Y.„. g go | | |Tot„. Pop „,. tion , M-Jtt. Population. (mo.M.di. *0 3 a "S o resulted. reported"). ° a -l Q °_J ___ 1878 25 90 14 329 458 1 to 944\ . i 432,352 14,157 13,959 6,668 1879 25 84 16 364 489 1 to 948 463,572 16,374 14,696 6,794 1880 25 86 21 379 511 1 to 949 Is u ) 484,939 17,837 16,723 6,484 1881 13 73 18 337 441 1 to 1,136 f 1 500,976 16,635 15,212 5,587 1882 13 72 19 343 447 1 to 1,1581 % 517,626 18,613 17,470 6,860 1883 13 72 20 356 461 1 to 1,173/ £ 540,753 18,775 17,727 7,572 1884 13 70 17 365 465 1 to 1,263 3/3 587,295 18,263 17,322 7,151 1885 20 65 17 372 474 1 to .1,293 3/0f 613,212 18,955 17,723 7,034 1886 20 66 18 390 494 1 to 1,266 3/2 625,849 18,135 17,000 6,260 1887 20 69 18 395 502 1 to 1,265 3/2+ 635,215 17,752 16,500 5,226 1888 13 69 17 388 487 1 to 1,328 3/1# 646,913 12,897 11,854 5,387 1889 13 65 17 389 484 1 to 1,347 2/10f 652,125 12,945 11,885 5,444 1890 12 66 13 403 494 1 to 1,346 2/10f 664,855 13,115 12,177 5,866 1891 7 61 14 404 486 1 to 1,375 2/11$ 668,353 12,674 11,748 5,416 1892 7 60 14 401 482 1 to 1,401 2/9 675,775 13,153 12,187 5,360 1893 7 53 14 407 481 1 to 1,439 2/8$ 692,426 13,165 12,100 5,251 1894 7 55 13 410 485 1 to 1,472 2/7} 714,258 13,530 12,500 4,594 1895 7 51 13 416 487 1 to 1,495 2/6f 728,121 14,010 12,435 4,636 1896 6 51 13 414 484 1 to 1,530 2/7+ 740,699 14,673 13,171 5,005 1897 7 45 12 453 517 1 to 1,461 2/7$ 754,016 15,219 14,042 5,204 ] 898 7 56 16 457 536 1 to 1,435 2/8 768,910 16,378 14,730 5,532 1899 11 53 15 475 554 1 to 1,414 2/9} 783,317 16,865 15,561 6,289 1900 11 56 20 499 586 1 to 1,359 2/10f 796,359 18,358 17,131 7,299 1901 11 56 20 504 591 1 to 1,381 2/10} 816,290 19,909 18,742 8,057 1902 12 58 20 514 604 1 to 1,375 2/10$ 830,800 19,771 18,802 8,269 1903 12 59 20 522 613 1 to 1,388 2/10$ 851,068 20,736 19,867 8,815 1904 12 59 21 534 626 1 to 1,398 2/10$ 875,648 21,066 20,118 9,615 1905 12 65 25 553 655 1 to 1,375 2/10$ 900,682 20,249 19,251 8,707 1906 14 71 25 557 667 1 to 1,387 2/10$ 925,605 21,160 20,241 9,210 1907 14 78 30 577 699 1 to 1,375 3/0 961,604 23,204 22,244 10,203 1908 15 83 32 604 734 1 to 1,331 3/2} 977,215 23,510 22,484 10,343 1909 16 87 35 633 771 1 to 1,308 3/4} 1,008,373 23,930 22,880 10,657 1910 16 86 34 639 775 1 to 1,330 3/3+ 1,030,657 25,106 23,949 11,718 1911 15 87 38 648 788 1 to 1,333 3/4$ 1,050,410 24,999 23,492 11,699 1912 15 89 39 692 835 1 to 1,287 3/5 1,075,250 25,981 24,837 11,884 1913 17 93 41 695 846 1 to 1,303 3/8 1,102,389 25,415 24,364 11,707 1914 17 94 40 719 870 1 to 1,304 3/9 1,134,506 27,563 26,494 13,189 1915 19 100 37 755 911 1 to 1,257 4/1 1,145,840 28,412 27,096 13,268 1916 19 104 36 757 916 1 to 1,258 4/2J 1,152,669 24,920 23,848 10,833 1917 20 108 36 734 898 1 to 1,280 4/3 1,150,002 21,724 20,701 8,800 1918 20 111 38 732* 901 1 to 1,274 4/6+ 1,147,391 19,067 18,043 7,228 1919 20 112 41 705* 878 1 to 1,319 5/2$ 1,158,156 24,278 23,312 8,216 1920 21 114 38 743* 916 1 to 1,325 4/llf 1,214,184 26,106 24,718 8,979 1921 23 112 47 768* 950 1 to 1,310 6/4f' 1,244,620 26,551 25,054 8,671 1922 22 118 43 826* 1,009 1 to 1,289 6/3f .1,300,967 24,699 22,843 6,409 1923 23 118 44 818*1,003 1 to 1,321 5/8} 1,325,301 26,119 24,356 7,035 1924 23 120 47 837*1,027 1 to 1,312 5/8f 1,347,853 27,025 25,048 7,470 1925 23 121 51 831*1,026 1 to 1,344 5/9+ 1,379,487 30,470 28,668 8,277 1926 24 121 52 888* 1,085 1 to 1,299 5/9$ 1,409,692 31,615 29,199 7,854 1927 22 123 56 895*1,096 1 to 1,312 5/8$ 1,437,980 32,144 29,799 6,884 1928 23 127 54 913*1,117 1 to 1,301 5/9 1,453,517 33,138 30,622 6,601 1929 23 128 56 948*1,155 1 to 1,273 6/lf 1,470,649 34,250 31,575 6,810 1930 22 127 54 943*1,146 1 to 1,298 6/1 1,488,612 37,214 33,690 6,125 1931 25 120 65 959*1,169 1 to 1,292 6/0$ 1,510,940 36,680 32,659 4,687 1932 25 123 65 944*1,157 1 to 1,317 5/5 1,524,633 * Includes temporary constables.

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Police Buildings, etc. The following works in connection with police-stations have been carried out during the year by the Public Works Department: — The erection of a new police-station at Te Araroa was completed ; new offices and lock-up were, erected at Opotiki; and a lock-up at Tolaga Bay. Office accommodation was provided at Anderson's Bay and Whangamomona. Repairs, renovations, and alterations were carried out at Coromandel, Wellsford, Warkworth, Whitianga, Mount Albert, Riccarton, Woolston, Leeston, Rangiora, Rakaia, Fendalton, Riverton, Tuatapere, Ravensbourne, North Dunedin, Gisborne, Tokomaru Bay, Denniston, Takapau, Port Ahuriri, Mohaka, Wairoa, Ohakune, Inglewood, Te Puke, Whangarei, Island Bay, and Petone. General. Recruits. —The necessities of the general financial situation have prevented the reopening of the Police Training Depot, which was closed in July, 1930. Shortages in strength have been filled by the appointment of temporary constables under the provisions of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919. Buildings.—The urgent necessity for economy has this year, as in the last, delayed the renovation of a number of police buildings, only the most urgent requirements receiving attention. Conduct. —I am pleased to be able to report the continued good conduct of members of the Service, their devotion to duty under most trying conditions, and their sense of discipline. Several instances of meritorious conduct and courage in the face of danger reflect credit not only on the individual members, but on the whole Service. During the year the Detective Branch has done exceptionally well in the detection of crime. Motor-vehicles.— The regrettable increase in crime against property compels me to repeat my observations of last year on the urgency of increased provision for motor transport for police in the principal cities, so that police motor patrol can be maintained particularly at night. Social Disorder.—The effect of the world-wide economic depression felt severely by all classes during the year produced serious lack of employment and much distress. Seeking relief, many unemployed, particularly in the larger cities, gathered together in large numbers. Incited by a relatively small but active group of malcontents, riotous conduct was precipitated, resulting in damage to property and loss of trade to the business community. The police were required to use force to disperse the riotous element, many of whom were arrested and duly punished. This exhibition of lawlessness and challenge to the forces of law and order by an ill-advised section produced an immediate answer prompt and unmistakable from the mass of the citizens, who evinced their determination to check any attempt at mob law by furnishing such reserves of power behind the civil police as circumstances required. This prompt and highly valued help quickly changed the situation which very soon returned to normal conditions. Extracts from reports of officers in charge of districts are appended. W. G. Wohlmann, Commissioner of Police.

EXTEACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspbotoe O'Hara, Whangaeei District. There has been an increase of offences reported during the year —viz., 1,164 against 1,028 for the previous year, resulting in 1,052 prosecutions. There has been an increase in petty thefts, thefts from dwellings, house and shop breaking, forgery, and mischief. Most of these offences have been committed by young Maoris, in some cases owing to being unemployed, and juveniles. There was no serious crime committed during the year. The conduct of the members of the Force during the year has been good, only two members being fined for breach of regulations. Superintendent Till, Auckland District. I consider the strength of the Force in Auckland should be augmented by the addition of twenty men. Increased patrols could be carried out, especially at night, to endeavour to check the increasing number of burglaries. If these offences could be checked in this way it would relieve the strain on the detective staff in the detection of the offenders. With the surplus of men we would be able to meet almost any emergency that might arise. The detective staff needs also to be kept up to full strength. The unrest in the ranks of the unemployed and the communistic element greatly increases their work and responsibilities. I therefore earnestly submit application for an increase in the staffs here for favourable consideration. Probably on few occasions in the past has the Police Force so needed to be sufficiently and efficiently staffed and equipped as at present. During the year 1931 the number of offences reported decreased by 158. Whereas petty thefts have decreased, burglary and house and shop breaking have increased. The great majority of these latter cases occurred in the outer suburbs. It was found that when a motor patrol was maintained during the night these offences diminished. Apart from the offences committed by the two constables who were dismissed from the Force, the conduct of the men throughout this district has been very satisfactory.

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Last year I submitted a suggestion that section 278 of the Crimes Act, 1908, be amended so as to include all buildings. Motor-vehicles for use at District Headquarters are most essential, and in the past have been found of great assistance in checking and detecting crime when used on regular patrol. Formerly there were two old motor-bicycles, a Hupmobile motor-car, and a Ford, motor-car. We are now reduced to the Ford car only. As recommended last year, a small type motor-car, such as a Standard " 9 " and a high-powered motor-cycle, would be the most suitable for the work here. Inspector Fbaseb, Hamilton District. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1931, shows the total number of all offences committed to be 2,036, compared with 2,060 for the previous twelve months, being a decrease of 24. Of the offences reported 1,868 were accounted for by arrest or summons, leaving 168 undetected. Eighty-eight males and 8 females were committed for trial or sentence, and of these 84 males and 8 females were convicted. Three serious crimes were committed during the year. A man was charged with murdering another at Kaipaki and was found guilty and sentenced to death, which was later commuted to imprisonment for life. A man charged with murdering his wife was brought in " Not guilty " on the grounds of insanity, and ordered to be kept in strict custody until the pleasure of the Minister of Justice is known. Another man charged with attempting to murder a woman, was found guilty, and sentenced to seven years hard labour. The general conduct of the members of the Force has been good and their duties have been performed satisfactorily. Inspector O'Halloran, Gisborne District. During the year the police-station at Kopua Railway construction works was closed owing to the closing-down of the works there. Also the Whataupoko Police-station was closed, and a new station opened at Makaraka, this change being brought about owing to the main highway being at Makaraka and the need of a constable there, and by the move of the population towards Makaraka and Te Hapara. Wliataupoko can be easily worked from the Kaiti Police-station, and that area has been included in the Kaiti Police District. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1931, showed a total of 1,196 offences reported, as compared with 1,755 in the previous year, a decrease of 559. Arrests or summonses resulted in 1,124 cases, leaving 72 cases undetected. Of the cases dealt with, 63 were committed for trial or sentence, of which 54 were convicted. The district has been free from crime of a very serious nature during the year. The conduct of the police has been good during the year, and there were no defaulters. Inspector Cummings, Napier District. For the year ending 31st December last the total number of offences reported was 1,963, an increase on the previous year of 108. Of the 1,963 cases reported 1,824 were detected. There was a large increase in the number of cases reported concerning dishonesty, particularly theft, house and shop breaking, burglary, false pretences, and fraud, while a decrease was shown in drunkenness, assaults, mischief, profane and indecent language, vagrancy, breach of prohibition orders, and all classes of offences arising out of liquor. Both branches of the Service did excellent work during the year, and, as a result, the detection of wrongdoers has been very satisfactory. The conduct of the members of the Force has been excellent, only one offender being convicted of a breach of the regulations. A new dwelling and office is required at Taradale to replace the premises destroyed by the earthquake on the 3rd February, 1931. This should be done as soon as funds are available. New offices are also required at Wairoa. With the increase in crime generally in the district and a large number of inquiries from other districts in respect to persons wanted having gone to Hawke's Bay in quest of work in the rebuilding area, as well as numerous inquiries for people who it was thought were injured or killed in the earthquake, made the past year a very strenuous one. We also had a great number of inquiries from the Earthquake Relief Committee in respect to matters arising out of the earthquake. I gave the committee every assistance in that direction. Inspector Rawle, New Plymouth District. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1931, show the total number of all offences committed to be 1,354 compared with 1,309 for the previous 12 months, being an increase of 45. Of the number reported 1,283 were accounted for by arrest or summons, equal to slightly over 94 per cent. A serious crime, the murder of an Indian fruiterer, was committed on 31st January, 1931, at Hawera. On the 12th May, 1931, a man was arrested for the crime, and committed for trial, but at the Supreme Court the grand jury found "No bill," and he was discharged. Apart from that there was no serious crime for the year. The conduct of the police during the past twelve months has been good, and the duties satisfactorily performed. Three members received "Notes in favour" for work well performed. Two were fined for breaches of regulations.

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Inspector Mcllveney, Wanganui District. There were 1,257 offences reported during the year, compared with 1,516 in 1930. Arrests or summonses resulted in 1,189 cases. The principal increases in offences reported appear in respect of theft by clerks or servants, false accounting by officials or clerks, vagrancy, unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c, stealing money from postal packets, and failure to pay maintenance money. There were decreases in respect of assault, theft, false pretences, house or shop breaking, mischief, and drunkenness. On the 6th January, 1931, a man murdered a woman at National Park. He had been living with a sister of deceased under sordid conditions. A large quantity of wine was consumed by the party during the previous night, and excessive drinking continued on the morning of the murder. Deceased threatened to call in the police on account of offender's behaviour and he then shot her. He was convicted at the Supreme Court, and sentenced to death (later commuted to imprisonment for life). In December last a woman killed her husband at Wanganui. She was charged with murder and acquitted. The injury causing death was inflicted during the course of a domestic quarrel. The conduct of the police generally has been good, a few only having to be dealt with under the police regulations. Inspector Harvey, Palmerston North. The offences return for the year ending the 31st December, 1931, shows that the total number of all offences reported was 1,478, an increase of 31 over the previous year. Of the offences reported, 1,411 were dealt with by arrest or summons. The figures show an increase of 143 in thefts, and a decrease of 96 in drunkenness offences. On the morning of the 24th August, 1931, a young man was found shot on the side of the road at Karere, near Palmerston North. After inquiries had been made into the matter for several weeks by the local Force, assisted by a number of detectives from other districts, a youth was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted at the Supreme Court and sentenced to death. The death sentence was subsequently commuted by the Executive Council to imprisonment for life. Superintendent Emerson, Wellington District. A sub-district was constituted at Masterton on the 28th July, 1931, comprising the Wairarapa stations, under the immediate control of the Senior Sergeant at Masterton, and a sub-district was similarly constituted at Petone on the 13th June, 1931, comprising the Hutt Valley and Eastbourne Stations, under the control of the Senior Sergeant at Petone. . A detective and constable were appointed to Petone Station as an addition to the strength, while an additional constable was appointed to Lower Hutt and Wellington South Stations respectively. For the year ending 31st December, 1931, the total number of offences reported was 6,345, being an increase of 288 over last year. The principal increases were as follows : Carnal knowledge, theft (petty), thefts by clerks or servants, false pretences, house or shop breaking, &c, uttering forged documents, vagrancy, assaulting, obstructing constables, &c, breaches of Arms Act, and breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The principal decreases were : Assault, indecent exposure, unlawfully using motor-cars, &c, and failing to maintain. A girl was brutally murdered at Hataitai, for which a man was found guilty and sentenced to death, the death sentence being duly carried out. The general conduct of the Force has been good. Thirteen defaulters only were dealt with during the year for breaches of regulations. Inspector Lewin, Nelson District. On account of the work being suspended on the East Coast Railway construction works, the temporary station at Wharanui has been closed. For the year ending 31st December, 1931, the total number of offences reported was 972, compared with 1,182 for the previous twelve months, being a decrease of 210. Of all offences reported, 848 were accounted for- by arrest or summons, leaving 124 undetected. There were increases in indecent assaults on males, carnal knowledge, theft, false pretences, burglary, and mischief. The main decreases were in assaults, taking part in riot, house or shop breaking, forgery, drunkenness, and vagrancy. The most serious crime which occurred during the year was the murder on or about the 3rd November, 1931, of a single man, aged seventy-six, a retired farmer, residing alone in Picton. The murder was a most brutal one. The deceased received a fractured skull, and, in addition, two severe wounds in the neck practically severing the head from the body. No weapon was found near the body. The motive was apparently robbery, for when deceased's clothing was examined it was found that a wallet, said to have contained about £200 in money, was missing from his coat-pocket. The matter is still under investigation. The conduct of the police in the district during the past year has been very satisfactory, there being no defaulters. Inspector Fitzpatrick, Greymotjth District. The Tiroroa Station was closed during the year, owing to the closing-down of the railwayconstruction works and the Public Works employees having been transferred elsewhere. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1931, show the total number of all offences to be 1,462, as compared with 1,840 for the previous year, being a decrease of 378. The principal decrease has been in respect to charges of drunkenness, using profane, indecent, or obscene language, vagrancy, keeping or managing common gaming-houses, failing to maintain wife and children, breaches of prohibition orders, and being found on licensed premises after closing hours. The

8

H.^l6.

principal increase lias been in respect to charges of theft, breaches of the peace, intimidation fo restrict lawful acts, and selling or supplying liquor at unauthorized times. The other offences do not call for any special comment. The completion of road, and stoppage of railway-construction works, had the effect of causing' a cessation of the floating population in the, district, hence the decrease of crime during the year. The increase in reference to breaches of the peace and intimidation to restrict lawful acts was due to the industrial trouble which had taken place on coalfields during the past year. Two serious crimes were committed in the district during the year ; the first being that of a married woman who attempted to murder her infant daughter by cutting her throat with a razor. The woman was undoubtedly insane when she committed the crime, her mental condition grew worse, and when the charge was called on in the Supreme Court, the Crown entered a " nolle prosequi," the woman having been committed to a mental hospital. The second serious crime was that of a married woman who murdered her husband by shooting him with a rifle. The husband was of drunken habits, neglected his wife and children, and also had been in the habit of brutally assaulting his wife. The children were so neglected that they were removed from the custody of the parents by the Child Welfare Department. The loss of the children and the treatment meted out to her by the husband preyed on her mind, with the result that she committeed the crime in question. A jury in the Supreme Court found the woman not guilty in respect to her alleged crime, on the grounds of insanity, and she was committed to a mental hospital. The general conduct of the members of the Force in the district has been good, and the duties satisfactorily performed. There was only one defaulter. Superintendent Eales, Chbistchuech District. Consequent on the cessation of work at the railway-works at Parnassus, the police-station there was closed on the 30th November, 1931. The total number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1931, was 4,705, as against 4,217 in 1930. Proceedings were taken against 3,740 persons, convictions being recorded against 3,470, and 276 cases being dismissed. One charge of attempted murder was preferred in the case of a demented woman, who tried to drown her child. Increases are shown in thefts, housebreaking, and unlawfully using motor-cars. Drunkenness shows a decrease. The increase in cases of dishonesty was probably due to the large number of unemployed, who are undoubtedly in very poor circumstances, and the decrease in drunkenness may be attributed to the same cause. The conduct of members of the Force of all ranks has been exceptionally good. Very few cases of indiscipline were reported, and every man has given his mind to his work, which has at times been very trying. Inspector Bird, Timaru District. The total number of offences during the year was 973, being a decrease of 124. The principal increases being false accounting by officials or public officers, .mischief, breaches of the peace, obscene language, and breaches of Arms Act. Decreases : Shopbreaking, drunkenness, and negligent driving of motor-vehicles. The only serious crime during the year was the murder of a young woman at Arundel, by a man who committed suicide shortly after the murder, jealousy being the motive. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been good, only two constables being dealt with for breaches of police regulations. Superintendent Eccles, Dunedin District. The total number of offences reported for the year ending 31st December, 1931, was 1,881, as compared with 1,723 reported for the previous year, showing an increase for the year of 158] offences. Of the offences reported there were 1,718 prosecutions, resulting in 1,669 convictions. The principal increases were assault, theft, false pretences, house and shop breaking, unlawfully using motorvehicles, and found on licensed premises during prohibited hours. The decreases consisted of mischief, drunkenness, and vagrancy. I consider that the increase in the number of offences reported is due to the large number of unemployed and the financial depression during the year. Two men were sentenced in the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on the 18th June, 1931, the principal offender to five years hard labour and one year reformative detention, and the other offender to three years hard labour, for assault with intent to rob an old resident of Dunedin, on the 11th May, 1931. The principal offender was also sentenced to the same term (concurrent) for doing actual bodily harm to the victim's wife. In the offences referred to all the stolen jewellery was recovered. The principal offender referred to in the previous case was also associated with another criminal and they were sentenced to four years hard labour and three and a half years hard labour respectively for breaking and entering and theft of jewellery valued at £3,000 on the 24th January, 1931, in daylight. It was a very daring robbery, and only £150 worth of jewellery has been recovered. The principal offender mentioned was also sentenced to four years hard labour (concurrent) for three other serious charges of breaking and entering and theft. These are the only cases of serious crime committed in this district during the year. One sergeant and seven constables were fined for breaches of the police regulations, and one constable resigned compulsorily for misconduct during the year ; but the conduct of the members of the Force on the whole has been good, and both branches of the service have been working in the greatest of harmony.

2—H. 16.

9

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It is quite apparent that a large number of persons who are employed as barmen in licensed hotels in New Zealand are bookmakers or agents for bookmakers, and I consider that the time has arrived when the Licensing Act, 1908, and amendments should be amended to provide for the licensing of all barmen who are employed in hotels, on the same principle as persons who are licensed to sell liquor. If this is done provision should be made for cancelling of the license for at least three years which should be a bar to further employment in any licensed hotel for that period —should a barman be convicted for any crime, serious breaches of the Licensing Act, 1908, and amendments (specified), or breaches of the Gaming Act, 1908, and amendments (specified). Section 43 of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, should be amended, making it an offence for any Native (denned) to be found in possession of any intoxicating liquor for consumption off licensed premises. Inspectob McCarthy, Invercakgill District. lam of the opinion that the police-station at Orepuki could now be "closed. There is a railway running through the district, and the work could be done from Tuatapere or Riverton. _ The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1931, shows an increase in petty thefts. A portion of this increase is due to a better system of recording crime reported during the year, and, no doubt, a large portion is due to the depression at present existing. Housebreaking and attempted housebreaking also show an increase, which was due to the actions of a gang, the members of which were subsequently arrested and sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment. On the 3rd July, 1931, the sum of £847 (the pay-roll of the Ocean Beach Freezing-works) was stolen from the motor-car of an employee of the Freezing Company, in Maitland Street, Invercargill. Two brothers were arrested for this offence on the 15th February, 1932, and were convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment. The stolen money was not recovered. Between September, 1931, and January of this year, a number of shops and offices were broken into and safes blown open with explosives. Early in" January this year two men were arrested and charged with these offences and convicted. On the night of the 13th January, 1932, the premises of the Bank of New South Wales, at Edendale, were entered by two masked men armed with a -22 calibre rifle. They demanded the keys of the bank, but, resistance being offered, they ran away, leaving the rifle in the garden. Two days later the men were arrested on this charge, and were convicted and sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment. One of the men convicted of the burglary of the bank premises was also convicted for the theft of the Ocean Beach pay-roll. On the 24th July, 1931, the dead body of a new-born male child was found on the foreshore of the estuary at Invercargill. There were no marks of violence on the body. Inquiry has failed to find the parents, or any explanation of how the body came to be in the water. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district during the past year has been very satisfactory, the work of the detective staff being especially effective in breaking up a gang of dangerous criminals.

10

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APPENDIX A. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ended 31st December, 1930, and Year ended 31st December, 1931.

3—H. 16.

11

1930. 1981. " Increase or : Decrease in £ © Results of Cases in which Persons were Number of a 2 a © m apprehended or summoned. Offences © © © £ a (Charges against Males and Females Number of reported. § H £«° separately.) Convictions Offences. 2 3 amongst those «m g committed o'S °5 Committed Summarily T)j Rn iiaafld for Trial. 2® £5 for Trial. convicted. g ©£ 2 S .Q g -O rj ! g g rtft—ftrjcoii £4 SH a© H© I flo an gn B-aon M. F. ! M. F. M. F. M. F. S S a g a II So Crimes and Justices of the Peace I Acts, etc. Taking part in a riot .. .. 5 .. .. .... .. .. .. 5 Misleading Justice. Perjury and false oaths .. .. 13 7 7 61 .. .. .... 4 1 .. 6 False statements and declarations .. 21 18 18 4 1 8.. 3 2 2 1 .. 3 Conspiring to bring false charges .. 1 .. .. .... .. .. .. 1 Escapes and Rescues. Breaking prison .. .. .. 1 7 6 1 2.. 3.. 1 6.. Escaping from prison or lawful custody 15 13 11 5 5 1 5 .. 2 Escaping from prison or lawful custody, 1 .. .. .... .. .. .... .. .. .. 1 attempted Assisting or aiding escape from prison .. 9 9 .... .. .. 9.. .. .. 9.. or lawful custody Offences against Religion. Disturbing public worship .. .. 5 3 3 .... 3 .. .. 2 Offences against Morality. Unnatural offence .. .. .. 6 5 5 4.. 1 3.. .. 1 Unnatural offence, attempted .. 2 3 3 3.. .. .. .... 3 .. 1 Indecently assaulting a male .. 40 54 54 47 4 .. 3 39 .. 14 Incest .. .. .. .. 3 2 2 2 1 .. 1 Indecent acts .. .. . • 21 6 4 .... 4 . . .... .. .. .. 15 Publishing obscene matter .. .. .. 1 1 .... 1 .. 1 Offences against the Person, &c. Neglecting duties tending to the preser- .. 2 2 1 1 .. 1 2.. vation of life or health Murder .. .. .. .. 7 13 9 72 4 1 6.. Murder, attempted .. .. 3 5 5 32 .. 2.. 2.. Manslaughter .. .. .. 11 7 7 5 2.. 2.. .. 4 Suicide, attempted .. .. 98 76 76 1 1 54 8 7 5.. .. .. 22 Concealment of birth .. .. 3 7 4 12 .. ....1 1 2 4.. Disabling or stupefying with intent to 1 1 1 1 .. 1 commit a crime Wounding with intent to do grevious 1 1 1 .... .. 1 bodily harm Endangering safety of persons on rail- .. 2 1 .... 1 .. 2.. ways or tramways Administering poison or other noxious 1 1 1 1 .. 1 things with intent to injure or annoy Assault causing actual bodily harm .. 9 16 16 11 1 1 3 8 7 Causing actual bodily harm under cir- I 1 1 .... 1 cumstances that, if death had been caused, would be manslaughter Assault, indecent .. .. .. 127 102 93 59 26 .. 8 40 .. .. 25 Assault with intent to commit a crime 12 5 5 2 2 1 2 .. 7 Assault .. .. .. .. 624 627 611 2 .. 544 12 50 3 2 3 .. Rape .. .. .. .. 10 7 7 5.. 1.. 1.. 4.. .. 3 Rape, attempted .. .. .. 7 7 5 3 I 1 3.. .... Carnally knowing girls under sixteen 68 69 68 46 11 .. 11... 32 .. 1 years Carnally know girls under sixteen years, 8 7 6 4.. .. .. 2.. 4.. .. 1 attempts to Carnally knowing inmates of child- .. 4 4 4.. .. .. 4.. welfare institution Carnally know inmates of child-welfare .. 1 1 1 .. .. .... .. .. 1 institution, attempts to Abortion, procuring .. .. 4 5 4 22 .. 2.. 1 Abortion, supplying means of procuring 1 6 6 42 .. 1 2 5.. Bigamy .. .. .. .. 8 8 7 61 .. 5 1 Abduction .. .. .. 1 2 2 .... 1 .. 1 .. .. 1 Aiding and abetting or counselling the 3 .. .. .... .. .. .. 3 commission of an offence Offences against Rights of Property. Theft (undescribed) .. .. 6,285 6,844 4,711 197 18 3,975 274 225 22 151 13 559 .. Theft, attempted .. .. .. 57 34 j 29 .... 18 1 10 .. .. ■. 23

H.—l6.

APPENDIX A—continued. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ended 31st December, 1930, and Year ended 31st December, 1931 —continued.

12

1930. 1931. Increase or Decrease in ~ ~ Number of © © ©p® Results of Cases in which Persons were Offences 2 § § M to apprehended or summoned. XT , t reported. © © © ® a (Charges against Males and Females Number of g S g £ O . separately.) Convictions Offences. O O g amongst those 73 «h n 3 committed ■«d «m»o OoS-d Committed Summarily for Trial. ?$ for Trial. convicted. dismissed. ® Qfl CC CCS ~ O £ O n F 3 cS <D •2 a -So, m ? ft © § S § 2 O.S o fH M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. § 5 : a g a .. Chimes and Justices op the Peace Act, etc. —continued. Offences against Rights of Property—etd. Theft from the person .. .. 35 22 11 3 5 3 1 .. 13 Theft from the person, attempted .. I 5 1 .... 1 .. 4 .. Theft from dwellings .. .. 328 297 95 26 .. 66 1 2 .. 25 .... 31 Theft from dwellings, attempted .. 10 7 1 1 .. 1 i 3 Theft by clerks or servants .. .. 103 135 131 49 1 76 1 3 1 42 1 i 32 Theft of animals (specified) .. .. 72 46 40 5 24 .. 11 4 I 26 Theft of animals, attempted .. 1 4 4 .... 4 .. .... .. .. 3.. False pretences .. .. .. 831 855 792 56 9 642 49 35 1 47 8 : 24 False pretences, attempted .. .. 20 45 43 5 31 2 5 3 .. 25 Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 183 167 154 1 .. 136 7 10 .. 1 .. 16 False accounting by officials or clerks 22 15 15 10 4 1 10 .. 7 Conspiracy to defraud .. .. .. 12 12 10 2 6 .. 12 Fortune-telling or practising witchcraft 4 4 4 .... 4 Robbery and aggravated robbery .. 31 21 15 7 3 .. .. 5 4 3 .. 10 Assault with intent to rob .. .. 5 10 9 ' 9 .. .. .. .... 4 .. 5.. Demanding with intent to steal .. 7 .. .. .... .. .. .... .. .. .. 7 Burglary . . .. .. .. 26 97 60 51 1 6 1 1 50 1 71 .. Burglary, attempted .. .. 3 8 1 .... 1 .. 5.. House or shop breaking, &c. .. 1,141 1,398 791 522 .. 231 19 14 5 494 .. 257 House or shop breaking, &c,, attempted 93 105 34 28 6 27 .. 12 Being found in dwellinghouse by night 15 6 6 .... 5 .. 1 .. .. .. 9 Being disguised or in possession of 8 9 9 4.. 5 2.. 1 housebreaking implements Receiving property dishonestly obtained 142 158 158 13 .. 102 15 28 9 ■ • 16 .. Forgery .. .. .. .. 170 173 164 142 6 13 1 1 1 136 5 3 .. Uttering forged documents or false 38 68 67 61 2 4 60 30 certificates Uttering forged documents or false 1 .. .. .... .. .. .... .. .. .. 1 certificates, attempted Sending false telegram .. .. 4 4 3 .... 3 .. .... Procuring execution of document by 2 .. .. .... .. .. .... .. .. .. 2 false pretences Possessing forged bank notes .. i .. 12 8 8 .. .. .... 5 .. 12 Using or possessing machinery, &e., for 1 .. .. .... .. ,. .. 1 making revenue or bank-note paper Falsifying registers or extracts there- .. 3 3 1 2 1 .. 3.. from Personation .. .. .. 2 7 7 1 6 .. 5-. Coin, offences relating to.. .. 7 9 7 4.. 3 2.. 2.. Arson .. .. .. .. 68 30 28 17 2 3 1 1 4 10 2 .. 38 Arson, attempted .. .. .. 10 9 6 31 .. 1 1 1 1 1 Wilfully placing obstruction on railways 2 3 .. .... .. .. 1 Mischief .. .. .. .. 787 771 744 3 .. 684 18 39 .. 3 .. 16 Mischief on railways and tramways .. 8 4 4 .... 4 .. .... .. .. .. 4 Sending threatening letters .. .. 4 5 4 2.. 1....1 2.. 1 Threatening acts with intent to intimi- 4 2 2 .... 1 .. 1 .. .. .. 2 date Aiding and abetting or counselling the 48 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 commission of an offence Police Offences Act. Breach of the peace or behaviour with 718 636 636 .. .. 550 13 71 2 .. .. .. 82 intent Cruelty to animals.. .. .. 115 115 114 .. .. 93 .. 21 Drunkenness .. .. .. 5,618 4,387 4,387 .. .. 4,188 193 5 1 1231 Drunk while in charge of horses, &c, or 183 57 57 .... 56 .. 1 .. .. .. 126 loaded firearms Drunk and disorderly .. .. 325 243 243 .. .. 227 13 3 .. .. . . 82 Soliciting prostitution .. .. 6 7 7 .... .. 6 .. 1 .. 1 Exposure of person and grossly indecent 305 209 174 3 .. 165 3 3 1 .. .. 96 acts Using profane, indecent, or obscene 615 528 528 1 .. 477 25 22 3 .. .. 87 language Vagrancy (idle and disorderly persons, 779 769 768 3 .. 576 116 65 8 2 .. 10 rogues and vagabonds, and incorrigible rogues) Assaulting, obstructing, or resisting 117 193 192 .. .. 171 13 7 1 .. .. 76 constables, &c.

H.—l6.

APPENDIX A—continued. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ended 31st December, 1930, and Year ended 31st December, 1931 — continued.

13

1930. 1931. Increase or Decrease in © © ©-£© Results of Cases in which Persons were Number of fl § d m rt apprehended or summoned. Offences <2 <2 (Charges against Males and Females Number of reported, o o S *2 fl separately.) Convictions Offences. 2 2 amongst those 9 committed •£*3 Committed Summarily for Trial. Si Sl s!®® (or Trial. convicted! Dismissed. 6 g - © © >H IT'S £ 2 CŌ |0 ** g g g 3 S l£ g.S S 2 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. § S S5 Si H Q Police Oefences Act —continued. Intimidation to restrict lawful acts .. .. 29 29 .... 6 .. 19 4 .. .. 29 Inciting violence, disorder, or lawlessness 19 24 24 .... 14 1 9 .. .. 5 Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. 708 717 436 1 .. 411 1 23 1 .. 9 Unlawfully on premises by night with- 186 210 210 .. .. 182 10 12 6 .. .. 24 out criminal intent Sunday trading .. .. .. 52 174 173 .. .. 118 43 II I .. .. 122 Gaming Act. Common gaming-house, keeping or 87 76 76 69 1 6 .. .. .. 11 managing, &c. Found in a common gaming-house .. 124 84 84 .... 78 .. 6 .. .. .. 40 Gaming with instruments .. .. 55 26 25 .... 23 .. 2 .. .. .. 29 Publishing advertisements relating to 1 1 1 .... 1 .. .... betting on horse-races Lotteries, unlawfully establishing or 18 35 35 .... 29 .. 5 1 .. .. 17 conducting, &c. Betting, unlawful .. .. .. 56 38 38 .... 32 2 4 .. .. .. 18 Following occupation of a bookmaker 22 35 35 1 30 1 3 .. .. 13 Trespass on racecourses .. .. 35 49 49 .... 49 .. .... .. .. 14 Publishing betting-charts .. .. .. 11 11 .... 9 .. 2.. .. .. 11 Post and Telegraph Act. Illegally opening or delaying postal 17 12 12 .... 9 3 .. .. 5 packets Stealing postal packets, mail-bags, &c. 32 72 66 20 46 .. .... 20 .. 40 Stealing money, &e., from postal packets 33 40 34 26 7 1 25 7 Unlawfully opening mail-bags .. .. 2 2 1 1 .. .... 1 .. 2.. Fraudulently secreting or detaining 6 .. .. .... . . .. .. 6 misdelivered mail-bags, &c. Injuring post-office pillars or boxes .. 11 18 15 .... 13 .. 2 .. .. 7 Damaging telegraph equipment .. 26 188 124 4 .. Ill .. 9 .. .. .. 162 Posting indecent postcards or letters.. 3 5 3 .... 3 .. .... .. .. 2.. False statement re posting postal packet 2 6 6 31 2 ...... 3 1 4.. T)Ī1STTT I I N. .A.OT Failing to maintain wife or children .. 2,197 1,842 1,718 .. .. 1,470 12 231 5 .. .. .. 355 Failing for fourteen days to pay main- 3,233 3,300 3,162 .. .. 2,678 18 457 9 .. .. 67 tenance moneys Offences by husbands while separation 33 22 22 .... 18 .. 4 .. .. .. 11 orders are in force Offences prescribed in sections 52 to 58 5 6 5 1.. 2 .. 2 .. .. 1 of Destitute Persons Act Shipping and Seaman Act. Ship-desertion .. .. .. 49 18 16 .... 15 .. 1 .. .. .. 31 Absent without leave .. .. 18 1 .. .... .. .. .. 17 Offences against discipline .. .. 3 .. •. .... .. .. .... .. .. .. 3 Embezzling cargo .. .. .. 2 .. .. .... .. .. .. 2 Stowing away .. .. .. 100 122 118 .. .. 118 .. 22 Licensing Act. Permitting drunkenness or violent eon- 7 6 6.... 4.. 1 1.. .. .. 1 duct Selling or supplying liquor to intoxi- 14 8 8 .... 3 .. 5.. .. .. .. 6 cated persons Selling or supplying liquor, or exposing 466 658 651 .. .. 406 32 190 23 .. .. 192 for sale, or opening or keeping open premises at unauthorized times Supplying liquor to persons under 33 26 26 .... 17 2 7 .. .. .. 7 twenty-one years Selling or supplying liquor to prohibited 45 31 31 .... 24 .. 7.. .. .. .. 14 persons Permitting prohibited persons to be on 2 .. .. .... .. .. .. 2 premises Unlawfully employing females in or 3 1 1 .... .. 1 .. .. 2 about a bar Employing minors in bars .. .. 2 1 1 .... 1 .. .. 1 Illegally supplying liquor to Natives .. 61 58 57 .... 41 .. 16 .. .. .. 3 Selling adulterated liquor .. .. 1 • ■ • ■ .... .. .. .. 1

H.—l6.

APPENDIX A—continued. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ended 31st December, 1930, and Year ended 31st December, 1931— continued.

14

1O30 1931. Increase or Decrease in _____ — _ Number of ® © © -g ® Results of Cases in which Persons were Offences a § §®<° apprehended or summoned. Number of reported. « « (Charges against Males and Females Conviotions Offences ° ° ° 3 separately.) amongst those unences. a committed •2-a °.Sat) Committed Summarily r)j Bm i sse a tor Trial. . o| o. gS'S for Trial. convicted. "ismissea. g g ® O ® o S E3 - 7 © g I ® | ® | .3 o s M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. § ® Z % z Licensing Act —continued. „ Obstructing Inspectors or refusing en- 3 5 5 3 2 .... trance to Inspectors or constables Having or purchasing labels for bottling j 1 1 1 • • contrary to Act , Using bottles with labels more than once 2 3 3.... 2 r '' A ' ' " * ôên Breaches of prohibition orders .. 773 514 509 .. .. 463 39 5 - .. • • •• Found on licensed premises after 2,149 1,828 1,820 .. .. 1,683 / 12/ 3 ; closing-hours - Refusing to quit licensed premises .. 26 19 19 .... 19.. .. •• •• Selling or exposing liquor for sale with- 104 66 64 .... 51 3 10 out a license Found on premises where liquor was 39 73 73 .... 54 1 1».... seized under a warrant , _ Offences against provisions in force in 37 47 47 ... . 30 4 8 5.. no-license districts q Selling, supplying, or giving liquor to 9 .. .. ...... Maoris in Native licensing districts Offences against provisions of no-license 18 24 24 13 1 10 in Native proclaimed areas «o Supplying liquor to Natives in pro- 54 87 75 .... 55 4 15 1 claimed districts „ Permitting consumption of liquor in 4 11 11 .... 11 restaurant after hours Failing to provide accommodation . . 1 1 1 .... 1 • • • • * • Aiding and abetting or cotwiselling the 85 .. .. .... • • commission of offences against Licensing Act Miscellaneous. Absconding from industrial schools .. 63 93 92 .... 90 2 .... .. .. ' Bankruptcy offences .. •• 33 45 45 15 30 .. .. .. •• •• Brothels or houses of ill fame, keeping, 6 12 II .... I b .. 6 .. •• o .. <&c Children, wilfully ill-treating, neglect- 2 7 7..1 2 1 3..-- 1 ing, abandoning, or exposing „ Deserting or absenting from His 13 15 9 .... 9 Majesty's ships „ Drunk or behaving in a violent or often- 15 13 13 .... lw 1 sive manner, &c., on a railway, &c. Failing to comply with conditions of 173 162 144 .. .. 137 5 2 release under First Offenders' Probation Act Habitual criminals or offenders, breach 4 4 4 .... 4 of conditions of probationary license Indecent Publications Act, offences 4 1 1 .... 1 oi „ in Opium-smoking, &e. .. ■. 18 31 31 .... 28 .. A ■ • • • 2 " Smuggling .. •• •• 1 3 3.... 1 2 •• •• Trespassing on railway and refusing to 17 5 5 .... ō leave, &c. .. Auctioneers Act, breaches of .. •• 1" 17 11 .. 6 '' y Bribery of police officer .. .. 1 ■ ■ • • ••••'. " ' ' '' i Infecting a person with venereal 1 • • • • .... . • Arms Act, breaches of .. • ■ 255 386 376 2 .. 348 2 24 .. • • 131 Motor-vbhicles Act. , Causing death or bodily injury through"| f 20 20 12 1 o 2 reckless driving Being intoxicated in charge of motor- - 035< 377 .. .. 358 3 lo • • • • >562 vehicle ' 1 , » Reckless or negligent driving I 1,503 1,501 .. •• Other breaches of Act .. L 3,697 3,696 .. .. 3,4o7 71 16-. •• J j To t, a l s .. .. .. 37,214 36,680 32,659 1,584 59 27,505 1,105 2,270 136 1,348 45 13388 Decrease .. .. ■ • • ■ • • ■ ■ .... .. | | °34

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B. Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1932.

15

s s i i $ 5i«s gs «I $' ■"-£ o , o n a a -3 2 a > « 5? ,93 S3 0 . .. m ® ~c — O .3 3 cō "8 .2*43 -*= cā £ & o'S cô ■£ ce Stations. ®2 ®3®ā® ® -S a ° £ ® o "S ft 5 "S ™ ij" ft a g, 02 ft ® M ?» « oo®m® o gs eg S | g®8 33 g ®S|S1S B Igogag ,3 5 ® ® g QA« a H5qo Whangarei District— Whangarei .. .. 1 .. 11 7 .. 1.. 11 Dargaville 1 2 3 Hikurangi 1 1 Houhora 1 1 Kaikohe I 1 Kaitaia 2 2 Kawakawa 1 1 Mangonui 1 1 Maungaturoto '1 1 Ohaeawai 1 Rawene 2 2 Ruawai 1 1 Russell 1 1 Waipu 1 1 Whangaroa 1 1 .. .. 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 2 23 .. 1 .. 28 .. 1 1 Auckland District — Auckland .. 1 1 2 2 7 75 1 7 12108 1 .. .. Avondale 1 .. .... 1 Awaroa Bay 1 Balmoral 1 1 Birkenhead 1 1 Coromandel 1 .. .. ! .. 1 Devonport 1 3 .. 4 Ellerslie 1 .. ..j.. 1 Epsom.. 1 .. ..'.. 1 Freeman's Bay 1 5 .. 6 Grey Lynn 1 .. .. 1 .. i 1 Helensville 1 .. .. 1 .. 1 Henderson 1 .. .... 1 1 Howick I 1 1 Huntly 2 .. .. I.. 2 Kerepehi 1 .. .. j.. 1 Kingsland 1 .. .... 1 Kohimarama 1 .. .. I.. 1 Mercer 1 1 Mount Albert 2 .. .... 2 ! Mount Eden 1 9 .. .. 1 .. 10 Mount Eden(South) 1 .. . J.. 1 New Lynn 1 .. .. 1 .. 1 Newmarket 1 11 12 Newton 1 4 16 21 2 .... Northeote 1 1 Onehunga 1 5 6 Otahuhu 1 3 .. 4 1 .. .. Paeroa.. 2 2 Panmure 1 1 .. .. Papakura 1 1 Papatoetoe 1 1 Parnell 1 3 4 Point Chevalier 1 1 Ponsonby 1 4 5 Port Fitzroy (Great 1 Barrier) Pukekohe 1 2 3 Queen St. Wharf (A) 1 10 11 Remuera 1 1 Takapuna 2 2 Thames 1 4 5 Thames South 1 1 S Tuakau 1 1 Waihi .. 14 5 Waiuku 1 1 Warkworth 1 1 Wellsford 1 1 Whitianga 1 1 Totals .. 1 1 2 323190 1 712240 4 2.. i Hamilton DistrictHamilton .. .. 1 .. 1 1 17 .. 1 1 22 Arapuni 1 1 Cambridge 2 2 Prankton Junction 1 3 4 Hamilton East.. 1 1 Iiatikati 1 1 Kawhia 1 1 Kihikihi 1 1 Matamata 1 1 Morrinsville 2 2

jj o " j • s $ ®i ® ® 3 +3 , O rt "S t> — Cl >• I 1 O O ® 1-1 t c o A+ 3 o 9 5 o-S ~ .!h rs Stations. g® ® ■§ g a ® $ 5 a ° g ® t | ag S| S J ™ co o, £ ac m »® 2t« O P d M ®2 513 |-|| r|g® ® * jgaj*g Hamilton District — continued. Ngaruawaliia 2 2 Otorohanga 1 I Putaruru 2 2 Raglan 1 1 Rotorua .. 1.. 3 4 1 .. .. Taupo .. 1 1 Tam-anga 3 3 Te Aroha 2 2 Te Awamutu 2 2 Te Kuiti 1 3 4 TePuke 1 1 Te Whaite 1 Tokaanu 1 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 2 3 52 .. 1 1 60 1 1 .. Gisborne District— Gisborne .. .. 1 .. 1 1 11 .... 1 15 1 .. .. Kaiti .. 1 1 Makaraka 1 ] Motu .. ] 1 Opotiki 1 1 2 .. .. 1 Patutahi 1 .. .... 1 Port Awanui 1 1 Ruatorea 1 1 Taneatua 1 1 Te Araroa 1 1 TeKaraka 1 1 Tokomaru Bay 1 1 2 Tolaga Bay 1 1 Waipiro Bay 1 1 Whakatane 2 2 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 3 26 .... 1 32 1 .. 1 Napier District — Napier .. .. 1 .. 1 1 16 .. 1 .. 20 Bay View J 1 Carlyle Street 1 1 Clive .. 1 1 Dannevirke 1 .. 3 4 Hastings 11 9 .... 1 12 Haveloek North 1 1 Mohaka 1 ] Nuhaka 1 1 Ongaonga 1 1 Ormondville 1 1 Porangahau 1 1 Port Ahuriri 1 3 4 Takapau 1 1 Taradale 1 .■ 1 Waipawa 1 1 Waipukurau 1 1 Wairoa 1 3 4 Totals .. .. 1 .. 3 4 47 .. 1 1 57 New Plymouth District — New Plymouth .. .. 1 .. 1 2 10 .... 2 16 1 .. .. Eltham 1 1 Fitzroy 1 1 Hawera 1 4 5 Inglewood 1 1 Kaponga 1 1 Manaia 1 1 Mokau 1 1 Moturoa 1 1 Normanby 1 1 Opunake 1 .. .. I.. 1 Rahotu 1 .. .. |.. 1 Stratford 1 4 .. .. j.. 5 Tangarakau 1 1 Waitara 1 .. .... 1 Whangamomona 1 .. .. j.. 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 4 31 .. ..! 2 39 1 .. ..

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B— continued. Return showing the Strength, etc., of the New Zealand Police Force — continued.

16

. • 02 j 03 rn «3 «©0303 ĪS S fiiS £ S * " "S ® * ® >1f ® • «8.2 "§® 0 £ •§ a 5 a-8 2 a § s o > -g a > - |s .2 .a £,0 »„«„,. |! sliiJii! liJls I issii! "S l| li S I j° s s gj°j I Wanganui District — Wanganui .. .. 1 .. 1 1 16 .... 2 21 Aramoho 1 1 Castlecliff 1 1 Gonville 1 1 Hunterville 1 1 Mangaweka 1 1 Manunui 1 1 Ohakune 1 1 Ohura .. 1 1 Ongarue 1 1 Patea .. 1 1 Raetihi 1 1 Raurimu 1 1 . • • • St, John's (Wa- 1 1 nganui) Taihape 1 3 4 Taumarumri 1 3 4 Waitotara 1 1 Wanganui East 1 1 Waverley 1 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 3 38 .... 2 45 Palmerston North District— Palmerston North .. 1 .. 1 1 15 1 .. 2 21 1 .. .. Ashhurst 1 1 Bulls .. ] 1 Cuba Street 1 1 (Palmerston N.) Eketahuna 1 1 Feilding 1 4 5 Foxton 2 2 Kimbolton 1 1 Levin .. 2 2 Marion 2 2 Marion Junction 1 1 Otaki .. 1 1 Pahiatua 2 2 Pongaroa 1 1 Rongotea 1 1 Shannon 1 1 TerraeeEnd 1 1 (Palmerston N.) Woodville 1 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 2 39 1 .. 2 46 ] .. .. Wellington District — Wellington .. 1 1 2 1 5 48 .. 2 7 67 4 .. .. Brooklyn 1 1 Carterton 2 2 Eastbourne 1 1 Featherston 2 2 Greytown North 1 1 Island Bay 1 1 Johnson ville 1 1 Karori.. 1 1 Kelburn 1 1 Kilbirnie .. 1 2 3 Lower Hutt 1 6 7 Lyall Bay 1 I Martinborough 1 1 Masterton 1 5 6 Miramar 1 1 Mount Cook 1 4 19 24 2 .... Moera .. 1 1 Paekakariki 1 1 Petone.. 1.. 6.. .. I 8 Seatoun 1 1 Taranaki Street 1 3 27 31 1 .. .. Thorndon Quay 1 1 Tinui .. " 1 1 Tinakori Road 1 1 Upper Hutt 2 2 Wadestown 1 1 Wellington South 6 6 Wharf (Wellington) 1 6 7 Totals .. 1 1 2 416148 .. 2 8182 7 .. ..

If J J §fi 1 si If I ~ ill! gi Stations. |||||| | || || | | |f||g| *si rn i "ggs; & im Nelson Distriet — Nelson .. .. I .. 1 .. 9 .... 1 12 Blenheim 1 5 6 Collingwood 1 1 Havelock 1 1 Motueka 1 1 Murchison I 1 Picton 2 2 Port Nelson 1 1 Richmond 1 1 Seddon 1 1 Takaka 1 1 Wakefield 1 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 1 25 .... 1 29 Greymouth District— Greymouth .. .. 1 .. 1 1 10 .. 1 1 15 Ahaura 1 1 Blackball 1 1 Brunnerton 1 1 Charleston 1 1 Cobden 1 1 Denniston 1 1 Dunollie 1 1 Granity 1 1 Hokitika 1 3 4 Kanieri 1 1! Karamea 1 1 Kumara 1 1 Matainui 1 1 Millerton 1 1 Otira .. 1 1 Reefton 1 2 3 Ross .. 1 1 Seddonville 1 1 Waiuta 1 1 Westport 1 5 6 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 4 37 . . 1 1 45 Christehurch D! s - triet — Christchnrch .. 1 1 1 2 5 52 1 2 7 72 3 ..... Addington 1 1 2 1 .. .. Akaroa 1 1 Amberley 1 1 Ashburton 1 5 6 Beckenham 1 1 Belfast 1 1 Bingsland 1 1 Chatham Islands 1 1 Cheviot 1 1 Coalgate 1 1 Culverden 1 1 Darfield 1 1 Fendalton 1 1 Islington 1 1 Kaiapoi 2 2 Kaikoura 1 1 Leeston 1 1 Lincoln 1 1 Linwood 1 1 Little River 1 1 Lower Riccarton 1 1 Lyttelton 1 6 7 1 .. .. Methven 1 1 New Brighton 2 2 North New Brigh- 1 1 ton Oxford 1 1 Papanui 1 1 Phillipstown 1 1 Rakaia 1 1 Rangiora 1 1 2 Riccarton (Upper) 1 1 St. Albans 1 2 3 Southbridge 1 1 Sumner 1 1 Sydenham 1 4 5 Waikari 1 1 Woolston 1 1 Totals .. 1 1 1 211 104 1 2 71301 5 ....

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B— continued. Return showing the Strength, etc., of the New Zealand Police Force— continued.

APPENDIX C. Return showing the Proportion of Police to Population and Cost of Police per Inhabitant in each of the Undermentioned Places.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (865 copies), £28.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 932.

Price 9d.]

17

i CO i'P C0W5CQ rr J) 03 0 •Sfl | . s ga 1 3 sill ® J S3 »S Stations. 3,g g.a!a®® J all $ 1 $ rSSJ'SS Sa a®ft°»¥ ô §§®Si8 ° aS™ s^S &h i B |j«§*i Timaru District— Timaru .. .. 1 .. 1 1 12 .... 1 16, 1 .... Duntroon 1 1 Fairlie 1 1 Ceraldine 1 1 Glenavy 1 1 Hampden 1 1 Kurow.. 1 1 Oamaru 1 7 8 Pleasant Point 1 1 St. Andrew's 1 1 Temuka 1 2 3 Waimataitai 1 1 Waimate 1 3 4 Waitaki Hydro 1 1 Works Totals .. .. 1 .. U 34 .... 1 41 1 .. .. Dunedin District— Dunedin .. 1 .. 1 1 5 36 .. 1 4 50 1 .. .. Alexandra 1 1 Anderson's Bay 1 1 Balclutha 1 1 .„ .... 2 Caversham 1 1 Clyde .. 1 1 Cromwell 1 1 Green Island 1 1 Kaitangata 1 1 .. .... Lawrence 1 1 Middlemarch 1 1 Milton 1 1 Mornington 1 1 Mosgiel 1 1 Naseby 1 1 North Dunedin 1 5 6 North-east Valley 1 1 Ophir .. 1 1 Outram 1 1 Owaka.. 1 ] Palmerston South 1 1 Port Chalmers 1 4 S Portobello 1 1 Ranfurly 1 1 Ravensbourne 1 1 Roslyn 2 2 Roxburgh 1 1 St. Bathan's 1 1 St. Clair 1 11 I i_

' rn 5® 5° «ū GQ X 10 ®t8 K £? CO OQ 00 fn 5. +3 © , <D r 4S 0 3<D+3® (T) Stations. lllollf t * l'l|iii 1 U Jf H a as p, ® g g> g §J 2 M J fi a » -2 ® <5 » ■«! j - a I *2»M ||°j»j Dunedin District— continued. St. Kilda 1 1 South Dunedin ] 6 7 .... ' Waikouaiti I 1 Waitahuna 1 1 Waitati 1 j Woodhaugh 1 1 Totals .. 1 .. 1 1 9 83 .. 1 4100 1 .. .. Invercargill District— Invercargill .. .. 1 .. 1 2 14 .. 1 1 20 1 Arrowtown 1 1 Biuff .. I 2 S Clinton 1 \ Gore .. 1 4 5.. . Half-moon Bay 1 X Lumsden 1 j Mataura 1 1 Nightcaps 1 j North Invercargill 1 ] Orepuki 1 1 Otautau 1 1 Pembroke 1 1 Queenatown 1 1 Riverton 1 X South Invercargill 1 1 Tapanui 1 1 .. Tokanui J 1 Tuatapere 1 1 Waikaia 1 ] Waikiwi ] j Winton 1 1 Wyndham j 1 Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 4 40 . . 1 1 48 1 Attached to head- .. 1 .. 3 2 3 9 quarters staff Lent to Cook Islands 1 1 Administration On leave prior to 1 .. 1 .... 2 retirement Grand totals .. 415 6 27 96 921 4 17 441134 23 4 2 1 I

Place. Number of Estimated ° f Cost of Police Police. Population. to Population. Per Inhabitant. s. d. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 1,157 1,524,683 1 to 1,317 5 5 Victoria .. .. .. .. 2,085 1,801,294 1 to 864 6 7 New South Wales .. .. .. 3,626 2,517,758 1 to 694 9 64 Queensland .. .. .. .. 1,267 963,711 1 to 760 9 8J South Australia.. .. .. .. 749 584,968 1 to 781 10 0Ī Western Australia .. .. .. 576 421,609 1 to 732 9 11 Tasmania .. .. .. .. 246 223,390 1 to 908 7 3